IPL 2023: Sikandar Raza elated to be a part of Punjab Kings

While promising Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza is honoured to have the IPL on his resume, he is gutted with the fact that he could not follow the just-concluded IPL 2023  mini-auction due to poor Internet connectivity. Raza was signed for INR 50 lakh by the Punjab Kings at the IPL 2023 auction in Kochi on Friday, December 23.

Thus, he became only the fourth Zimbabwean cricketer to feature in the IPL after the likes of Tatenda Taibu, Brandon Taylor and Raymond Price.

Are you guys playing a prank?: Sikandar Raza

I said, ‘what, I can’t see it. Are you guys playing a prank?’ They said to check the auction. I said I am checking but I haven’t even been up there,” said Sikandar Raza while speaking to ESPNcricinfo.

“What happened was, by the time I reconnected, I had gone already. So basically I didn’t see the bid. Maybe that was a good thing actually. I reckon it’s a good thing. If I was watching, I would have shouted in the meeting!,” he added.

Meanwhile, the engineer-turned-cricketer who has played franchise cricket across the globe is thankful to finally have bagged the prized IPL contract. More importantly, he is overwhelmed to be a part of the Punjab Kings for the 2023 season.

“It was part of my thinking that before I hang my boots up, it would be nice to have the IPL on my CV. Alhamdulillah (thank God) it has happened. I am really happy, humble and excited at the same time. I would have [been fine with] any franchise but to have a Punjabi munda in Punjab, it is a great match,” he said.

Life had indeed come full circle for Sikandar Raza after the Pakistan-born cricketer showed consistent performances for Zimbabwe in white-ball cricket. Raza had played a key role in Zimbabwe’s ODI and T20I series triumphs against Bangladesh before scoring a valiant century during the home ODI series against India in August this year.

The software engineer-turned professional cricketer was also instrumental in Zimbabwe’s first victory over Australia down under and stunning Pakistan with a one-run win in this year’s ICC T20 World Cup.